You can use the Examination of Conscience below to prepare yourself for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

------------An Examination of Conscience based on the Seven Deadly Sinsby Fr. Dylan James

Pride (ST II-II q162)Pride is the mother of all sin. It is a craving for excellence beyond what is reasonable. It makes a person hate being equal to others, and hate being less than God.Have I refused to admit my own weaknesses? Have I dwelt on the failings of others?Have I judged others, in my thoughts or words? Have I ranked myself better than others?Have I borne hated for another? Have I refused to learn from others? Have I been stubborn? Refused to admit I was wrong? Refused to accept that another person had a better idea? Have I been arrogant? Have I held others in contempt?False-humility fails to use our gifts.Have I neglected to use the talents that God has given me?

Vanity (ST II-II q132)Vanity is excessive concern about manifesting my glory before othersHave I been overly concerned about what others think of me? Have I allowed this to motivate my actions?Have I lied or exaggerated to make myself look good?Have I wasted undue time and money on clothes and appearance?Have I been content with my lowly position, or have I resented the role that Christ asks of me?

Lust (ST II-II q.153; CCC 2351)Lust is disordered desire for sexual pleasure, isolated from its procreative and unitive purpose (CCC 2351). Custody of the Eyes: “Whoever looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Mt 5:28)Have I viewed other people as mere sexual objects rather than as persons to be loved?Pornography: On internet? or TV? Impure Thoughts: Have I entertained impure thoughts? Impure Acts: Alone, or with another? Anger/Wrath (ST II-II q158)Anger is undue desire for vengeance -undue in cause or in amount. Have I harboured resentment, grudges, and hatred in my thoughts?Have I nurtured imaginary angry conversations?Have I been slow to forgive?Have I lost my temper?Impatience: How have I carried my cross?Have I been impatient with people, family, events, sufferings, sicknesses?

Covetousness/Avarice (ST II-II q118)Avarice is the excessive love of possessing things Have I been overly concerned about my own comfort and well-being?Have I been resentful of my lack of money? Have I been generous in giving? Have I given with a cheerful heart?Have I cheated, stolen, or failed to pay my bills on time?Have I used people for my own ends and advantage?Have I wasted money?Envy (ST II-II q36)Envy –is sadness at the happiness of anotherJealousy–is coveting what belongs to anotherHave I envied or been jealous of the abilities, talents, ideas, good-looks, intelligence, clothes, possessions, money, friends, family, of another?

Gossip:Have I judged others in my thoughts?Have I damaged the reputation of another person by my words, attitude, or looks? Have I repeated accusations that might not be true? Have I exaggerated? Have I failed to defend the reputation of others? Have I failed to keep secrets?Do I despise others of different race, class or culture?Lies: Have I lied or exaggerated?

Sloth/Apathy (ST II-II q35)Laziness, especially laziness in the things of God. Sloth is a sorrow in the face of spiritual good -it makes a person lethargic and want to do nothing.Have I sought God above all else, or have I put other priorities ahead of him? (e.g. friendships, ambition, comfort and ease) Have I got so caught up in the things of this world that I’ve forgotten God?Have I risked losing my faith/piety by bad company, bad reading, cowardice, or pride?Have I trusted God, especially in times of difficulty?Have I attended Mass each and every Sunday?Have I neglected to say my daily prayers?Have I entertained distractions in prayer, or failed to give God due concentration in prayer or in the Mass? (Note: Not giving God the effort he deserves in prayer is a sin, but it is not the same thing as involuntary weakness in mental distractions.)

Gluttony (ST II-II q148)Gluttony is the inordinate desire for food. Have I eaten more than I need? To how serious an extent?Have I spent excessive money on food? Have I drunk alcohol excessively?Have driven after drinking?Have I eaten greedily and with little consideration for the presence and needs of those at table with me?Have I given money to help the hungry?

My Neighbor:Have I been lazy in helping others?Have I been attentive to the needs of my neighbor, the needs of my family? Has my conversation been focused on my own pleasure, or on others?Has my humor been insensitive to others?My Family:Have I been more focused on myself than on the needs of others?Have I spent time with my family? How have I manifested my concern for them? Have I been forgiving and tolerant of them? Have I scandalized them by a bad or lazy example?Punctuality and Discipline: Have I sinned against my neighbor by being late? Have I sinned against God and the congregation by being late for Mass?Have I gone to sleep on time?Have I made good use of my time, or have I wasted time needlessly? E.g. TV or internet?Have I planned good use of relaxation and recreation, knowing that I need to rest well?